River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1887-07-21
SHARP SENTENCED.

Jacob Sharp, was sentenced at New York,
ON the l4th, heJudge having been too i'll to
be in court on the 18th, Wednesday night
Sharp slept better than for some nights pre-
vious, but it seemed 20 be the sleep of utter
exhaustion, and he appeared to be but a
little refreshed by il when he rose at 2
O'Clock Thursday morning. His wife sat by
his bedside throughout the night tanning
him while Re was asleep, and giving him
cooling drinks when he aWeke at intervals
After he rose from ted she assisted him to
dress for the second trip to the court of over
and terminer TO receive sentence. He bore
the same hstless indifference, almost dazed
manner noticeable in him since his cOnvic-
ton. He appeared almost unconscious OF
the attention his wife lavished upon him
and scarcely exchanged a word with her
1t was IL 30 O'Clock when the carriage
drove away from the JAIL and lust twenty
minutes later il stopped before the county
court house. Sharp was SO weak when go.
ing to the carriage from the jail and on
leaving 1t on his way into the court house
and up the stairs TO the court room it was
necessary for the officers guarding him to
support. his lettering form.
After calling the court, Mr.. MARITIME got
up and stated that as he heard the defense
had some remarks to make he wished to
hear them Mr. Mitchell responded, saving
that he had no application to put in for a
delay, but would move for a new trial. and
wished the stenographer to make a note of
the fact.
Mr.. Mitchell then read the paber. stating
that the trial was an unfair one in several
ways; the jury was prejudiced against his
client anu gave an unfair verdict. More
over, the judges charge was an unjust one
Several other points Were raised. Judge
Barrett stated that the motion Would be
denied.
District Attorney MARITIME then stood UP
TO move the court 70 sentence the prisoner
He then read DIR. Hamitons report on the
condition of Sing Sing and the arrange
ments for the care of the sick, which be
said. were of a most excellent character all
around, and the place was most healthily
situated. 'In view of these facts con
cluded Mr.. MARITIME, there il nothing left
for me to do but to move for the sentence
of the prisoner"
Judge Barrett then proceeded to deliver
the sentence. He said that he had never
performed so delicate a task in his whole
professional career. He had received many
letters from many people pleading for mer-
cy and otherwise. But a court was not ap-
pointed TO be merciful any more than was
dictated by the laws of justice. The defend
dant herein asking for mercy can give moth
ing as a plea for clemency but age and
sickness. On the merits of the case he GER
tainly is entitled to none. The crime itself
was an enormous one.
what is there to excite pity or mercy ex-
cept the age or i'll health of the prison, and
the mourning condition of his familyl With
over 81 900, 600 in his pocket he clamors for
mercy without offering to pay back a penny
of the amount stolen. 80 that should he
die in prison his family has a fat fortune to
fall back upon"
At this Mrs. Sharp buried her face in her
handkerchief and wept silently, while the
prisoner himself did not lift his face from
the table The legislature does not allow
us to go below the minimum penalty in such
a grave Offense as the present is" continued
Judge Barrett. "All cannot be satisfied
Those who clamor for the prisoners receiv-
ing the full penalty of the law and those
calling for a reprimand. All things have
been considered, and the judgment OF this
court is that the prisoner be confined four
years at hard labor and that he pay a tine of
5000
Later in the day Judge Potter of the Su-
preme Court granted a stay Of proceedings
until the 18th